Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Do you miss the good old days when video games were simple affairs? When run, jump, and attack were about the only things you had to worry about? Do you long for a polished platformer that looks great and controls well? Wistfully admiring the old 16-bit era and need a little nostalgia boost because the new stuff is just too complicated? If you answered yes to any of these questions you’ll certainly want to give Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse a go, which should satisfy your appetite for a solid platformer. If you’re a gamer of a certain generation you’ll most likely remember playing this game on the Sega Genesis. The refreshed 2013 version will be sure to release a flood of memories. The game shows off some impressive graphical chops and a sound track that’s magnificent; this will be a quaint ride down memory lane for many gamers. The difficulty can be punishing, so parents of young Always Late Gamers should plan on playing this game as a family so frustration doesn't lead to wracking sobbing and broken controllers. If you’re able to find Castle of Illusion on sale for no more than five dollars and you’re looking for some lighthearted fun then Castle of Illusion is a perfect fit. If it’s not on sale, or you’d rather save the cash and buy a more robust game with greater depth and more full-bodied gameplay, you can safely skip this title in favor of something with more substance. Should you venture through the gates of the Castle of Illusion, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the updated graphics and sound; just don’t expect more than eye candy and a few hours of worthwhile gameplay.

graphics

Castle of Illusion is really an attractive game that captures the essence of Disney’s whimsical product lineup. Colors are bright and cheery and environments are loaded with detail and nuance. Character animations are buttery smooth and everything you see is candy coated in the best possible way. The game takes the player though vastly different levels, from a land full of sugary treats to a segment packed with ghosts and ghouls and beyond. The levels are wildly different in look and aesthetic, but each is self-contained and follows a very specific codex that they never stray from. You won’t find anything looking out of place in this highly polished game; the Licorice Dragon won’t appear in the Water World and vice versa. Mickey himself, the iconic Disney mouse, is animated fluidly. Jumping, running, and even walking, by lightly pushing forward on the analog stick, is slick and sharp. Mickey can go from an all-out run to a jaunty saunter and the transition is seamless and easy. Jumping and climbing are animated effortlessly. The frame rate is firm, meaning no slowdown will rear its head to ruin your perfectly timed jump. Simply fantastic level design, art direction, and silky smooth animations mean you’re treated to nothing but the best graphically. This game is certainly something to look at. Even though the graphics are top notch, with uniform visuals across the many worlds you visit, excellent animations, and levels that are meticulous and nuanced, there may be some gamers out there who will find the game outside their taste. Disney fans, and children for sure, will find the graphics pleasing to say the least. Jaded gamers, or those that require high fidelity and find photorealism paramount, will most likely roll their eyes at the overall look of Castle of Illusion and its childish graphics. Even still the whole appearance is splashy and fresh; this game has gotten a complete face lift and it’s paid off. Castle of Illusion looks great in this new 3D format and the energetic colors and smooth animations really bring this world to life. This is one flashy game that is a joy to watch in action.

Sound

The soundtrack behind Castle of Illusion is superb. Sound effects are perfectly applied and the background music is a vibrant orchestra. Each level has its own soundtrack that sits comfortably where it belongs, in the back so as not to overbear the rest of the game. Voices are expertly recorded; even if you find Mickey Mouse’s vocalizations to be more on the aggravating side it’s still nice to hear both him and Minnie sounding like they just stepped off set. A narrator with a soothing accent and the creepy witch Mizrabel add a little flare to the rest of the cast. Sound effects are as sharp and clear as the music. The orchestral musical score sounds like it’s been taken from any of the Disney animated films, and maybe even some of the rides you might be familiar with at one of their many theme parks. Needless to say the music alone is high quality and of the element you would expect to be behind anything carrying the Disney moniker. Slap on top of it the jovial sound effects and superb voice acting and you have a game whose sound is proficient and sets the mood for each area you traverse. There’s really not much to complain about here, for this reviewer at least. Sounds are perky and merry and the voice acting is top-shelf. If there is one thing that other gamers might, again, roll their eyes at is the sound of Mickey’s voice with its high pitch that edges up to grating. Being a game that’s geared mostly towards children and those looking longing back at their own childhoods, it will probably be welcome to see a developer fully embracing the Disney namesake. Party poopers will shove this title aside in favor of something more for grown-ups, but children, and children at heart, will be totally absorbed by the truly Disney look, feel, and sound of Castle of Illusion.

GamePLay

Castle of Illusion plays much like its older twin; you take control of Mickey Mouse and run, jump, swing, and climb through various levels to obtain the Rainbow Gems needed to save Minnie. It’s classic video game platforming taken straight out of the 90’s and given a graphical overhaul. If you've played any of the classic Genesis platform games, or have ever run into the vintage likes of Super Mario, then you’ll know exactly how to play Castle of Illusion and what to expect in terms of gameplay. It’s absolutely unoriginal but the presentation is such that you’ll keep playing just to see what the next world looks like. Tight controls are what make great platform games and Castle of Illusion slips hard here. The controls don’t feel quite as responsive as they should and Mickey feels more slippery than smart. Spotty hit detection leads to frustrating encounters with the simple enemy types. Toy soldiers and other moving targets can be difficult to destroy with the standard “head bop” attack and the projectile’s aim is too unforgiving to make it useful. The game doesn't toss too much combat at you as you travel across, and in many cases up, levels but when you’re forced to fight the loose controls don’t feel calibrated correctly. Boss encounters at the end of each world are also hard to dispatch; the messy controls botch the required split-second timing and precision landing. The final level took me more than twenty attempts to complete due to the slack controls. The game tasks the player with rescuing Minnie Mouse after she has been captured and imprisoned by the evil witch Mizrabel. Rainbow Gems collected at the end of each world, with the exception of one collected halfway through a level, will free the trapped Minnie Mouse but not after defeating the evil witch first. The story is nothing but fluff though it’s cute if nothing else. Unskippable cut scenes ruin an otherwise swift journey through the narrative. This is agonizing especially during the final battle where you’ll most likely need several attempts to complete it. Being forced to watch a cut scene once is tolerable, seeing the same thing over and over is pointless and unacceptable. A few extra lines of code could have erased this complaint entirely. For what it’s worth, the game is great fun if light on content. Considering it’s basically a 16-bit game with a fresh coat of paint this is understandable, but the asking price is a bit too high for what you actually get. Trophy hunters will revel in the unlockable content discovered in hidden areas and by completing optional secret levels tucked away in obscure places. That big top hat in Toyland isn't just decoration. Jump on in and see if you can figure out how to solve the simple puzzle inside for a reward. There are some really clever puzzles here, and those with the patience to figure them out are treated to new outfits to don on Mickey and concept art displayed within the Castle of Illusion. It’s not much and it’s nothing more than artificial filler, but there is a large group of gamers who are compelled to “100%” any game they play. For those, Castle of Illusion will provide more than four or five hours’ worth of entertainment. If you’re only here to defeat Mizrabel and save Mickey’s love you won’t be able to spend countless hours exploring the Castle of Illusion; once you've seen the ending there’s next to no reason to return.

Final Thoughts

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is entertaining enough to keep you playing, but it’s light fare compared to most other platform games available. Disney fans and kids will certainly love the game with its simple controls, lively graphics, and wonderful musical score. Mickey is easy enough to control even if those controls feel sloppy. Adult gamers with fine motor skills will certainly detect the slack response to input; children may have no complaints here as they’ll be too engrossed in the different realms they get to explore. Some really impressive set pieces are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face, from climbing up a huge toy block tower only to slide down from the summit or attempting to avoid being squashed by a huge rolling apple a la Indiana Jones. The game is creative in its presentation and the new 2.5D space works well, though some areas can be confusing to navigate. Adult gamers who remember this game from childhood will certainly enjoy their time talking a stroll down memory lane. The updated graphics, rich sound, and familiar settings bring back memories of me playing this game on my cousin’s Game Gear. Parents introducing their children to video gaming may want to consider playing this game together as kids will need help in certain areas that require absolute precision. Even I had to turn the game off a few times as the spike in difficulty, especially at the very end, was enough to raise my blood pressure to dangerous levels. Castle of Illusion is worth a look if you can find it at the right price. Anything more than five bucks and I fear you’ll feel like you got ripped off. There’s not much substance to the game and if you require a deep gameplay experience then you’ll find this title devoid of enough content to keep your attention. The graphics are exquisite, the sound exceptional, but the story is trite; this really is a platform game stripped to its most basic components. The levels are memorable and most are multiple moving parts that work in harmony to create a unique atmosphere. Climbing to the top of a giant clock tower has never looked and felt this good. The loose controls, strange hit detection, and exactness the game demands may be more frustrating than enjoyable, especially for young gamers. If you need something light to consume in between games that require days of dedicated play to complete, or if your kids are whining they need something new to play, then Castle of Illusion is perfect. Skip this one if it’s not on sale or if you need something with abundant substance to keep you occupied as the Castle of Illusion may be decorated too sparsely for your tastes. Overall, Castle of Illusion is a fun romp and an acceptable platformer, but it’s not as fully appreciated compared to the more evolved Ratchet and Clank or Jak and Daxter. The extra content you can unlock is nothing more than synthetic sweetener and once you've finished the game it doesn't give you cause to return unless you need the bragging rights to say you've unlocked all achievements, which most players probably won’t find reason to do. If you need a nostalgia trip you’ll find the updated version of this game exactly what you need; if you’re more forward looking then the Castle of Illusion won’t be able to enchant you.